I just read right through this. Saturday morning and all...
You need to get on side with the lady who's complaining. Some people do not know how to stop in these situations and she may be a bit lonely,this being her way of communicating to the world that she exists.

Second,I once built a 32 Ford using a similar GM chassis, not pretty at all!but this was 1970 something and i was a lot younger then .
You will find that handling AS in going along the road fast and around bends will be OK,but REAL handling where you can 'point and squirt 'with your car will not be happening.
I can see what your're doing is a great idea and how every beginning rodder should do it.
Although i would buy a 200 amp ac/dc welder or hire one and rent a oxy/aeteylene set and learn how to do sheet metal welding,it's a LOT easier

When you do your next beetle V8 heres a link to how it should be done in the 21st Century.V8 beetle plans